Chauncey Billups Emerging Frontrunner For Portland Trail Blazers Job

Chauncey Billups is the current frontrunner for thePortland Trail Blazers’ head coaching position, according to reports from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and Shams Charania of the Athletic.

Update: 8:45 PM, Pacific

该运动的Shams Charania发推文说，Billups已获得工作，是新员工。

Supplement on timing from Dwight Jaynes of NBCSports NW

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Charaniasays that the Blazers are “locked in” and looking to complete a deal with Billups.

Drafted by theBoston Celtics, Billups played in the NBA for 17 seasons, primarily with theDetroit Pistons,Denver Nuggets, and theLos Angeles Clippers. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the Clippers, who hired him in November 2020.

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, star point guard Damian Lillardsat in on the interviews with Billups，利拉德（Lillard）被“投资”以寻找新教练。在前主教练特里·斯托茨（Terry Stotts）离开后，比利普斯（Billups）的名字几乎立即成为潜在的候选人said at the timethat he favored Billups.

Reportedly, Mike D’Antoni of theBrooklyn Nets和贝基·哈蒙（Becky Hammon）San Antonio Spursalso made it to the second round of interviews.

UPDATE

Wojnarowski has added that Billups met with Portland’s leadership, including franchise chair Jody Allen and President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey, in Seattle on Wednesday.

Billups has a long-standing relationship with franchise superstarDamian Lillardand the two have talked frequently throughout Portland’s search process, sources said.

Olshey’s history with Billups goes back to their time together with the Clippers from 2011 to 2013. As Clippers GM, Olshey claimed Billups after theKnicksamnestied him in 2011 — and had him on the team’s roster for two seasons. Olshey has long considered Billups one of the best leaders he has ever encountered in the NBA.